General Botany

This program provides a broad background in the biology of plants, from the molecular to the whole-plant level. Botany students study anatomy, biochemistry, ecology, genetics, physiology, taxonomy, and molecular biology of plants. This flexible major combines the faculty and resources of two UF colleges to prepare students for career success.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Department of Biology studies life at all levels from molecules to the biosphere to understand the evolution, structure, maintenance and dynamics of biological systems. The department's teaching and research provide the integrative and conceptual foundations of the life sciences.
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.273.0125 (tel) | 352.392.3704 (fax)

P.O. BOX 118525
220 BARTRAM HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-8525
Map

Curriculum

This option is intended for students who do not plan to attend graduate or professional school, but are planning a career in government, public service, or secondary education. A student must achieve a minimum grade of C in all required courses for the major. 

Small classes are taught by faculty who have a commitment to undergraduate education. Students participate in mentored research, assisting faculty with research projects on campus and abroad. The major prepares students for careers in industry and government agencies, for graduate and professional schools, and for teaching jobs in high schools.

Specializations

General Botany

For students who may not intend to pursue a graduate degree but are interested in a career in plant biology. This specialization provides some flexibility in tailoring the courses needed in order to pursue specific interests. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor and botany faculty member when deciding on which courses to take.

Botanical Research

For students who intend to pursue a graduate degree and requires research with a faculty member. This specialization provides some flexibility in tailoring the courses needed in order to pursue specific interests. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor and botany faculty member when deciding on which courses to take.

Coursework for the Major

Required coursework is dependent upon the specialization. Coursework for each specialization can be found below under Critical Tracking and Model Semester Plan.

Relevant Minors and/or Certificates

Students majoring in Botany can minor in most other disciplines, and this is a good way to organize students' electives around areas of interest. Note that botany majors cannot minor in Biology, nor can Biology majors minor in Botany (the curricula for the Botany and Biology majors are too similar).

UFTeach Program

There is a severe shortage of qualified secondary science teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in becoming part of this high-demand profession should see a botany advisor or the UFTeach advisor. UFTeach students complete the UFTeach minor in science teaching with their BS in Botany and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.
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Research

Botany majors are strongly encouraged to participate in research, and research is required for the Botanical Research specialization. Research experience is valuable on many levels: it diversifies the college experience; it teaches students how scientists apply the knowledge gained in the classroom to real world questions; it provides the opportunity to work with and get to know researchers who are the best in their field; it introduces students to cutting edge scientific questions and techniques; it can enhance a student's resume/CV when applying to graduate or professional school; and finally it is essential in helping students determine if science is a good career choice.

CALS botany majors may participate in research for course credit, as a scholar (e.g., University Scholar, Science for Life Scholar, Beckman Scholar), as a volunteer, or, in rare cases, as a paid research assistant. Please visit Undergraduate Research for information regarding course credit. Students who plan to enroll for course credit must contact potential research mentors, develop a project, and turn in the required application and proposal no later than the week before drop/add. If the window is missed, students should still contact potential research mentors, if only to discuss upcoming opportunities.

Required Foundation Courses

Introductory Botany / Biology
Select one:4-8
Option A (preferred)
BOT 2010C
& BOT 2011C
Introductory Botany
and Plant Diversity (preferred) 1
Option B
BSC 2010
& 2010L
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1
BSC 2011
& 2011L
Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2
Chemistry
CHM 2045
& 2045L		General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory		4
CHM 2046
& 2046L		General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory		4
CHM 2200
& 2200L		Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
and Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory		4
Mathematics
MAC 1147Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry4
or MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
Select one:3
STA 2023
Introduction to Statistics 1
COP 2800
Computer Programming Using JAVA (or equivalent)
COP 3275
Computer Programming Using C (or equivalent)
BSC 2891
Python Programming for Biology
Physics
PHY 2004
& 2004L		Applied Physics 1
and Laboratory for Applied Physics 1		4
Required Courses for the General Botany Specialization
AGR 3303Genetics3-4
or PCB 3063 Genetics
PCB 4674Evolution4
BOT 2710CPractical Plant Taxonomy3
BOT 3503
& 3503L		Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants
and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory		5
BSC 4936Critical Analysis of Biological Research2
Ecology and Florida Biodiversity
Select two:6-8
PCB 4043C
General Ecology
PCB 3601C
Plant Ecology
BOT 3151C
Local Flora of North Florida
BSC 3307CClimate Change Biology4
Cells and Tissues
BOT 4935/5225CSpecial Topics (Plant Anatomy)4
or PCB 3023 Essential Cell Biology
Biodiversity Breadth
Select one:3-4
BOT 2011C
Plant Diversity 1
ZOO 4307C
Vertebrate Biodiversity
ZOO 4926
Special Topics in Zoology (Mammalogy)
ZOO 4205C
Invertebrate Biodiversity
ENY 3005
& 3005L
Principles of Entomology
and Principles of Entomology Laboratory
WIS 4934
Topics in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (Mammalogy)
PLP 3002C
Fundamentals of Plant Pathology
PLP 4653C
Basic Fungal Biology
MCB 2000
& 2000L
Microbiology
and Microbiology Laboratory
MCB 3020
& 3020L
Basic Biology of Microorganisms
and Laboratory for Basic Biology of Microorganisms
Select two from any of the above courses or other approved electives4-8
Total Credits65-77
1

Students who select BOT 2011C to fulfill the foundation requirements may not use BOT 2011C to fulfill the biodiversity breadth requirements for the major.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with a 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, including labs, with 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs, with 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

  • Complete at least 2 Required Courses for the General Botany specialization
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

Semester 8

  • Complete all remaining major course requirements
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
BSC 1920 First Year Introduction: Biology at UF (recommended elective) 1
Select one: 4
BSC 2010
& 2010L
 Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
BOT 2010C
 Introductory Botany (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
Select one: 4
MAC 1147
 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics)
MAC 2311
 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics)
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
Select one: 4
BSC 2011
& 2011L
 Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
BOT 2011C
 Plant Diversity (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
CHM 2045
& 2045L		 General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences)		 4
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
 Credits14
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences 3
CHM 2046
& 2046L		 General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)		 4
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Elective 3
 Credits16
Semester Four
Select one: 3-4
AEB 2014
 Economic Issues, Food and You (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
AEB 3103
 Principles of Food and Resource Economics (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
ECO 2023
 Principles of Microeconomics (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
PHY 2004
& 2004L		 Applied Physics 1
and Laboratory for Applied Physics 1 (Critical Tracking)		 4
Select one: 3
STA 2023
 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics)
COP 2800
 Computer Programming Using JAVA (Critical Tracking; or equivalent)
COP 3275
 Computer Programming Using C (Critical Tracking; or equivalent; Gen Ed Mathematics)
BSC 2891
 Python Programming for Biology (Critical Tracking)
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits13-14
Semester Five
CHM 2200
& 2200L		 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
and Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Critical Tracking)		 4
Select one: 3-4
PCB 4043C
 General Ecology (Critical Tracking)
PCB 3601C
 Plant Ecology (Critical Tracking)
BOT 3151C
 Local Flora of North Florida (Critical Tracking)
BSC 3307C
 Climate Change Biology (Critical Tracking)
PCB 4674 Evolution (Critical Tracking) 4
Gen Ed Humanities 3
 Credits14-15
Semester Six
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication 3
AGR 3303
or PCB 3063
 Genetics (Critical Tracking)
or Genetics
 3-4
BOT 2710C Practical Plant Taxonomy (Critical Tracking) 3
BOT 4935/5225C
or PCB 3023
 Special Topics (Critical Tracking; Plant Anatomy)
or Essential Cell Biology
 3-4
Gen Ed Mathematics (Critical Tracking) 1 3
 Credits15-17
Semester Seven
BOT 3503
& 3503L		 Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants
and Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants Laboratory (Critical Tracking)		 5
Select one: 3-4
PCB 4043C
 General Ecology (Critical Tracking)
PCB 3601C
 Plant Ecology (Critical Tracking)
BOT 3151C
 Local Flora of North Florida (Critical Tracking)
BSC 3307C
 Climate Change Biology (Critical Tracking)
Approved botany electives 6
Elective 3
 Credits17-18
Semester Eight
BSC 4936 Critical Analysis of Biological Research 2
Biodiversity breadth courses 4
Electives 10
 Credits16
 Total Credits120
1

Gen Ed Mathematics; if COP 2800 or BSC 2891 taken for computational requirement; or elective.

AGG 3501Environment, Food and Society3
AGR 4304Plant Chromosomes and Genomes3
AGR 4320Plant Breeding3
AGR 4512Physiology and Ecology of Crops3
ALS 4163Challenges in Plant Resource Protection3
BCH 5045Graduate Survey of Biochemistry (online)4
BCH 3023Elementary Organic and Biological Chemistry (online)3
BOT 2800CPlants in Human Affairs3
BOT 4053Practical Experience in Teaching Botany2
BOT 4935Special Topics (Botany)2-4
BOT 4935/5305Special Topics (Paleobotany)3
BSC 2862Global Change Ecology and Sustainability3
BSC 3402Theory and Practice in the Biological Sciences2
ENY 4161Insect Classification3
FNR 3131CDendrology/Forest Plants3
FOR 2662Forests for the Future3
FOR 3004Forests, Conservation and People3
FOR 3153CForest Ecology3
FOR 3342CTree Biology3
FOR 4060Global Forests3
HOS 3305Introduction to Plant Molecular Biology3
HOS 4304Horticultural Physiology3
HOS 4313CLaboratory Methods in Plant Molecular Biology2
HOS 4341Advanced Horticultural Physiology3
MCB 4304Genetics of Microorganisms3
MCB 4320CThe Microbiome3
MCB 4503General Virology3
MCB 4652Environmental Microbiology3
ORH 3513CEnvironmental Plant Identification and Use3
ORH 3773Public Gardens2
ORH 3815CFlorida Native Landscaping3
PCB 4553Population Genetics4
PCB 5338Principles of Ecosystem Ecology3
PLP 2060Fungus among Us: Mushrooms, Molds and Civilization3
PLP 3230Survey of Plant Pathogens3
PLS 4601CPrinciples of Weed Science3

The Botany major is offered by both the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. This major provides a foundation in the life sciences with emphasis on plant systems. Students will learn the diversity of life, the structure of organisms and ecosystems and how they function (i.e., the acquisition, flow, organization and uses of information, energy and nutrients in living systems). Students will learn the scientific method and how it facilitates the discovery of new knowledge in botany and biology, including how to critically evaluate hypotheses and conclusions.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Achieve acceptable performance in all required botany courses.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Identify, describe and explain the basic terminology, concepts, methodologies, and theories used within the biological sciences.

Critical Thinking

  1. Analyze biological information and develop reasoned solutions to problems using the processes and applications of scientific inquiry.
  2. Discriminate ethical behavior from unethical behavior in scientific research.

Communication

  1. Communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written or oral forms appropriate to the biological sciences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
BOT 2011C R R I
BOT 2710C R R R
BOT 3503 and BOT 3503L R/A R/A R/A
BSC 2010 I I I
BSC 2011 I I
PCB 3601C R/A R/A R/A R/A
PCB 4043C R/A R/A R/A R/A

Assessment Types

  • Major field test for biology
  • Bioethics quiz
  • Scientific paper